A CRAZE of installing Christmas lights on cars could land vehicle owners with a fine and penalty points, the RAC has warned.

The warning comes after police issued “words of warning” to a driver in Poole, Dorset, whose car sported hundreds of lights.

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 requires headlights to be white or yellow, and rear lights to be red – so any red lights to the front of a vehicle, or blue lights anywhere – as they are reserved for emergency vehicles – can confuse other drivers and treated as a safety hazard.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “The driver was stopped and given words of advice about the traffic offences he was committing and also reminded about the seriousness of celebrating Christmas before December.

“Displaying red light to the front of a vehicle or other colours to the rear that aren’t listed in Road Traffic Regulations is an offence and can land you with a £50 fine.”

The incident has prompted debate in Dorset and beyond, with the RAC clarifying rules over the decorating of vehicles.

While it is not illegal to decorate a car for the festive season, people may risk a fine and penalty points if the decorations do any of the following:

• Obstruct the driver’s view of the road
• Add any additional lighting sources
• Attach anything to your vehicle that may cause an injury to pedestrians
• Attach anything to your vehicle that is likely to fall off and/or cause a danger to other road users

However, magnetic signs, stickers, or festive wraps are generally legal if they don’t obscure number plates or the driver’s view of the road.

Festive items inside the car, such as dashboard ornaments, are also allowed as long as they don’t obstruct the driver’s vision or distract other road users.

Drivers must ensure they have a “full and clear view of the road ahead”.

Failure to do so risks three penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.

READ MORE: Motoring news from your Somerset Leveller